You throw the ball. You catch the ball. You hit the ball…Of course, baseball fans know that this line from Bull Durham is far from true, part of the humor of the movie and a huge part of the fun of the game. This blog is a space to talk about baseball, being a baseball fan, all of those things that make the game fun and the Angels, because they make baseball fun for me.

Stop the Tragedy of Minimal Run Support Today!: Another Very Special Post from TIAVSG

It’s a tragic, growing problem witnessed at ballparks across America. Starting pitchers in their prime, wasting away with dwindling win percentages due to lack of run support. Minimal run support may not seem like a problem in the beginning. It’s true, the average ace pitcher can survive on a mere run or two per game for several starts in a row, when necessary, and even seem to thrive. But make no mistake, a team’s chronic lack of run support will strike hard at the records of even the most unbeatable pitchers eventually.

Angels baseball players, don’t let this heartbreaking affliction continue to harm your favorite starting rotation. You might think the solution to such a huge problem is beyond your means but all it takes is a few quality at bats. You don’t have to hit homeruns, though we wouldn’t turn them down. Triples, doubles, even several singles a game with runners in scoring position will provide your starting pitcher with ample run support through good starts and bad.

That’s right, all it takes to return that wicked little smile to the face of a nasty pitcher in your clubhouse is a few more hits with runners in scoring position. And remember, when you give the gift of run support, you’re not only helping a deserving pitcher but you’re giving yourself the heartwarming satisfaction that only comes from knowing you made a difference…and from knowing you helped beat the visiting team into submission, of course.

So Angels, this evening, the rest of the week and on through the rest of the season, please open up your stance, swing from the heart (Stop hitting the ball anywhere near Coco Crisp!) and bring those runners home! Your pitchers are counting on you for support.

This is an incredibly timely post. I can relate to this sentiment on a normal day, but having to read about my poor Gavin Floyd losing a game that he could have easily won (not to mention the onging saga of John Danks), with just a little help, I’m definitely feeling like I should spread the PSA to the ChiSox clubhouse, as well.

However, that being said, I wonder if you managed to get this message to your Haols, because I just finished watching them pile on a few runs in the 5th.

I hope they hang on for you! (And, kicking it up a notch to help out my fantasy team wouldn’t go amiss!)
-Keleigh

Keleigh – That’s frustrating for the fans and for the pitchers even more so, I’m sure. Yeah, the Angels gave Santana some love tonight and it was great to see…it makes it nice for the relivers not to always be walking into a “make one mistake and the game is over” kind of situation.

I don’t think there’s anything more frustrating for fans than their team consistantly leaving runners on base. I think Scocia will find a way to get this team to produce runs, though.
–Mike
‘Minoring In Baseball’

Russel – This may be in part because of the end of the P.E.D. era. I didn’t know the whole league was down that much. Me, I’m for clean and fair regardless. Hard hit doubles and good base running bring in a lot of runs too.

Hot Coco here, get your hot Coco! Well ya guys came back to win on Wednesday. Hope ya had a good time at the Big A. While my A’s were loosing I was using my index finger and thumb to squish random fans with Angels caps on. I know, its childish but tame compared to what I do when they show Bob Gerens mug.

Jon – I adore hot Coco…when he’s terrorizing anyone else’s line up but mine, LOL! Wow, some of those catches were just amaz…er…I mean terrible, they were terrible to behold from the other side. I literally laughed out loud at the thought of you squishing Angels fans’ head on the TV though. Yes, Wednesday’s game was a blast! And then we split the series because that’s just how we’re all doing things this season in the wild, wild AL West, apparently.

I noticed Russels comment just now and was wondering if all the postponed games due to weather would have had enough of an impact to the home runs totals. I think I heard Ray Fosse say something like weve had more rain outs than all of last year combined. Plus alot of games were played through the rain that might have been called. It wouldnt offset the numbers hugely but would be a significant factor.

Jon – I hadn’t thought of that but you may be right. Having less games played in the same time period would skew the hitting stats to the point that we could only make real comparisons at the end of the season.

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